Scottish Executive

Crime

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a national standard method for recording crime statistics.

Mr Jim Wallace: We seek to promote consistency in the way that police forces record crime through guidelines and audits.

  We issue guidance through the Criminal Statistics Handbook. The guidance is discussed with police representatives through the Scottish Criminal Statistics Committee and is ratified by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

  The Justice Department Justice Statistics Unit also visits police forces to monitor police recording practice and confirm that the guidance is being followed. In its regular programme of primary inspections, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary also audits processes and procedures used within forces to record crime.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the co-ordination of innovative and exploratory work on information and communications technologies in schools as set out in point 1 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Nicol Stephen: The Executive’s strategy for developing the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) in Scotland has a range of programmes and projects in place to encourage and co-ordinate innovative and exploratory work on ICT in schools, covering the main themes of training, content and infrastructure.

  We encourage the sharing of innovative practice among the approved training providers for the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT training programme by holding regular co-ordinating meetings between HMIE and the training providers. In addition we have hosted two major conferences to ensure effective links between NOF training initiatives and the rollout of the NGfL. As a result we have established an Innovative Practice Group charged with exploring ways of disseminating good practice.

  Working with Learning and Teaching Scotland, our programme of content and software development includes the co-ordination of innovative activities where schools throughout Scotland and in other countries collaborate in on-line learning.

  We are supporting a number of projects that explore possible future developments in the use of ICT. With Learning and Teaching Scotland we are investigating the requirements for a learning objects repository. We have supported Dundee City Council in a project that will investigate the effective use of laptop computers by teachers and pupils. We are also working with Glasgow City Council to develop innovative approaches to the use of ICT in support of children who cannot attend schools.

  Our ICT innovation awards scheme is specifically designed to co-ordinate and support innovative and exploratory work in the field of ICT across pre-school, primary, secondary and community education. £50,000 has been available for each round of the scheme, offering grants of up to £5000 to support innovative projects.

  This support often helps to draw in money from other partners. Phase two of the scheme is supporting 14 projects, and more information can be found on the internet at http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/innovationawards/.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning strategy.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive plans to publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning in 2002 once key data from the latest School Census have been analysed.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on developing the number of information and communications technologies learning centres through Learndirect Scotland as set out in point 2 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward , and where these centres are situated.

Ms Wendy Alexander: As at 30 November 2001, 223 learning centres had gained learndirect scotland branding. Of these, 111 are in areas of social deprivation. A comprehensive list of the learndirect scotland learning centres and their locations has been lodged with the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 18426).

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it and Learning and Teaching Scotland ensure that commercial providers are aware of the opportunities for working in collaboration in providing software of educational content as set out in point 3 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Nicol Stephen: Building on the experience gained from existing partnerships with commercial providers, the Executive and Learning and Teaching Scotland are developing a procurement strategy covering the financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 that will continue to raise the awareness of all commercial providers of the opportunities afforded by the Executive’s extensive investment in educational software and content.

  Learning and Teaching Scotland will continue to engage with trade bodies in the software and multimedia industries, and is represented on the steering group that is guiding the creation of E-learning Alliance Scotland.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what agreements it has reached with education authorities on the handling of educational copyright, licensing and intellectual property rights issues as set out in point 4 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force , Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Nicol Stephen: There is as yet no consensus with education authorities and others on the handling of intellectual property issues. Learning and Teaching Scotland is working closely with all the local authorities, through the Inter-Authority Collaborative Network, to ensure learning materials produced with public funds are used to best effect across Scotland.

  Learning and Teaching Scotland has used the development of the five to 14 online resource www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/5-14/guidelines to explore copyright, licensing and intellectual property issues with schools and local authorities.

  The schools licence recently announced for the SCRAN database gives schools access to an environment in which they can create and share online materials based on items from SCRAN.

  The planned Scottish Schools Digital Network will provide a focus for the exchange of materials, and the development of the specification for the network will provide a further opportunity to examine intellectual property issues with local authorities.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it has been working with the BBC in developing the BBC’s digital broadcasting strategy as set out in point 5 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Nicol Stephen: The Executive continues to work with the BBC to ensure that Scottish interests are represented in policy on production of digital material for schools and more generally. I intend to meet senior BBC representatives shortly.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail how the Metropolitan Area Networks fit into its plans for digital inclusion as set out in point 6 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Recommendation six of the Digital Scotland Task Force report related to a broadband network for schools. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21268 on 16 January 2002.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken or plans to undertake, to promote discussion among education authorities about being providers of information and communications technologies services as set out in point 7 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Nicol Stephen: Since April 2000, the Executive, through the NGfL Scotland programme of seminars and events, has supported seven seminars at which education authorities have been encouraged to meet and discuss their experience of obtaining and delivering a range of ICT services. Most recently, nearly 300 delegates attended the conference "Connecting Scotland’s Schools", which launched discussion of the services that might be offered over the planned Scottish Schools Digital Network.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of Learning and Teaching Scotland is in educational technology as set out in point 8 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Nicol Stephen: The information requested is set out in Learning and Teaching Scotland’s Aims and Objectives , Strategic Plan 2001-2004 and Annual Plan 2001-2002 , all of which can be found on the internet at http://www.ltscotland.com/about/corporate.asp.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will describe the Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish University for Industry and the National Grid Team as set out in point 9 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Ms Wendy Alexander: Scottish UfI Ltd and the National Grid for Learning team are in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). We expect the main elements of the MoU to focus on:

  identifying and pursuing projects and policies that are of mutual interest where joint involvement would produce greater benefits to the public;

  ensuring the respective expertise of the organisations involved are mutually recognised and used in partnership where appropriate;

  sharing expertise in the delivery of online learning;

  avoiding duplication of effort, and

  collaborating in furthering the effective implementation of the Digital Scotland initiative.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council last reported on their progress on working jointly on research into information and communications technologies assisted learning and on learning environments, educational content and teacher/lecturer training as set out in point 12 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils provide six-monthly reports on their progress in implementing relevant recommendations contained in the Digital Scotland Task Force’s report. The last such report was received in December 2001.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council have taken to offer the SuperJANET network to all higher education institutions and further education colleges as set out in point 15 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force , Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Ms Wendy Alexander: All higher education institutions and further education colleges have access to the SuperJANET network. The funding councils’ priority continues to be promoting widespread take-up and application of the extensive range of information services available through the network. The councils’ policy is to identify new data sources of potential value to the further and higher education sectors and to seek to arrange access to them through the network.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what stage is it at with regard to its plans for an e-government framework as set out in point 16 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Information Age Government in Scotland: A draft common Framework was published in draft in December 2000. The framework is currently being revised following consultation and will be published shortly.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all basic public services will be online by 2003 as set out in point 16 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: I am grateful for the opportunity to correct a minor inaccuracy in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, which was repeated in the Executive's response to that report. The agreement reached by the European Council at the Lisbon Summit, and announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair was to provide electronic access to the main basic public services by 2003, not to all basic public services as stated in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force.

  The list of the 20 main basic public services agreed by member states was published as an annex to the communication e-Europe 2002: Impacts and Priorities. Most of that list are reserved matters. We are working on all those which fall within the remit of the Scottish Executive and a number are already available electronically.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by local authorities to promote the aims of its Modernising Government and Information Age Government agendas as set out in point 17 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Local authorities through COSLA, have given an undertaking to match the Executive’s commitment to delivering services online by 2005. Each local authority has identified e-advocates at both Senior Officer and Elected Member level who are accountable for the delivery of their Council’s 21 st Century Government Strategy.

  Eight of these e-advocates, along with the Chief Executive of COSLA, are represented on the Central/Local 21st Century Government Forum which helps to drive the Modernising Government and Information Age Government agendas across all local authorities.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when local authorities will be able to make available electronically the public services they deliver as set out in point 18 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Local Authorities, through COSLA, have given an undertaking to match the Executive’s commitment to online services by 2005.

  The Central Local 21st Century Government Forum agreed that councils should be invited collectively to propose an approach, targets and a timetable for making available electronically the public services they deliver.

  This consultation exercise was carried out in October 2001 and councils have agreed that a standard definition of services and electronic channels should be endorsed and that an online database should be set up to monitor council progress in delivering services electronically. The structure and content of this database is being developed.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative barriers are in place which create difficulties in delivering public services electronically as set out in point 20 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward , and which barriers have been removed.

Mr Andy Kerr: We now have enabling legislation in place in the Electronic Communications Act 2000 to allow us to amend existing legislation where that does not allow for the use of electronic communications or data storage. Some perceived barriers are not barriers after all but are being considered on a case-by-case basis. For instance, the data protection legislation is not generally a barrier to electronic delivery provided that the requirements of the legislation regarding appropriate consents and storage of information are met.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when publicly funded bodies will adopt a framework to ensure technical and data standards are in line with the UK as a whole as set out in point 21 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive continues to work very closely with the Office of the e-Envoy in developing technical and data standards. The Executive has endorsed the e-Government Interoperability Framework and the e-Government Metadata Framework. The Executive is keen to remain in line as far as possible with both UK and International standards. To date an approach of endorsing and promoting standards has been adopted, however, the soon to be published Information Age Government Framework will contain a number of standards and these will be mandated to the extent of the Executive’s authority and which other bodies will be strongly encouraged to adopt.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what it defines as "good practice" with regard to achieving 100% electronic service delivery by 2005 as set out in point 22 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Our aim is for public services to meet the needs of the citizen, e.g. by delivering the appropriate answer to the citizen at the first point of contact. This is set out in more detail in the 21st Century Government Vision Statement which is publicly available on the 21st Century Government website.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans the public sector has for achieving 100% electronic service delivery as set out in points 22 and 23 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive is not a major service provider, and its main role therefore is to provide encouragement and guidance to service providers. This is being done in a variety of ways; e.g. through working groups, seminars, published guidance, research and the Modernising Government Fund.

  The first electronic service delivery progress report, published in November 2001, shows that more than 60% of the services provided by the Scottish Executive, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are already available online.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to deliver ‘e-procurement’ for public sector bodies as set out in point 23 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: E-procurement was addressed by point no 24 of the Digital Scotland Taskforce’s report. Since the report’s publication the Executive has been working with the wider Scottish public sector, including health and local government, to develop an e-procurement service which will be available to all Scottish public bodies. In November 2001, following an international competition, the Executive announced the selection of Cap Gemini, Ernst and Young and its partner Elcom, to develop and host the web-based service.

  Pre-implementation work has already commenced in the Executive, Highland Council, West Lothian Council, Highland NHS bodies and Scottish Healthcare Supplies. Pre-implementation work is due to commence shortly in a range of other organisations.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when an Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation will be in place as set out in point 25 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force , Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Malcolm Chisholm: Good progress is being made with the Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation programme. Electronic transmission of laboratory test results is now well established in many parts of the country and a number of locations are beginning to electronically transmit referral and discharge letters. The technical infrastructure will be in place during the first half of this year to enable secure electronic exchange of clinical information between any GP practice and any NHS Trust in Scotland. The target is to achieve widespread implementation by 2003.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure management level staff have the skills to plan, manage and implement successful electronic service delivery as set out in point 26 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Management and Leadership skills are a strategic priority for the Scottish Executive and its Corporate Learning Services (CLS). CLS provides a wide range of project management, management and information technology training using a variety of training methods, including e-learning, classroom based and computer based training. All of these develop skills that can be used to take forward electronic service delivery.

  We have introduced a suite of courses with the aim of improving project teams; these include Project Leadership, Project Support, Microsoft Project and Consultancy Skills. The topics covered in these courses include project definition, goal setting, motivating the team, problem solving and negotiation.

  The Scottish Executive 21st Century Government Unit have also arranged a number of seminars and workshops on relevant topics for senior public sector staff outwith the Executive. We will continue to hold such seminars on appropriate topics where there is an identified need.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on smart cards and to what extent it is implementing the results of any studies and utilising such cards as set out in point 27 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Smart Card Policy Working Group (chaired by the Office of the e-Envoy) of which the Scottish Executive is a member, is due to publish a draft smart card framework for consultation in early 2002. This group has taken note of the large number of smart card studies and practical implementation carried out world wide, in the compilation of its consultation document. The Scottish Executive has recently supported a smart card pilot project in Aberdeen and is working with Young Scot on a national project involving a young people’s smart card. The Scottish Executive, whilst actively considering the use of smart cards in a number of areas, has no immediate implementation plans.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role of the Modernising Government Fund as set out in point 29 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive wrote to Local Authority Chief Executives, copied to Chief Executives and Directors of public sector bodies in Scotland, on 29 November 2001, outlining the key priority areas for developing citizen focussed services which could be supported by the second round of the Modernising Government Fund.

  Bidding Guidance for outline project proposals setting out strategic objectives and 4 key project areas issued on 19 December 2001.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure universal access for the public sector as set out in point 31 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive has adopted a multi channelled approach to the delivery of public services and information. It has supported and continues to support a number of pilot projects which are exploring different methods of delivery to ensure further widening of access to services and information. Transcoding of individual data sources is enabling these sources of data to be delivered and accessed through a variety of channels.

  Through its 21st Century Government Unit vision statement, the Scottish Executive puts the citizen at the centre of the process in ensuring that he or she is empowered to access information and services in his or her preferred manner.

  The Scottish Executive is also looking at different ways of improving general access to the Internet in Scotland. The Public Internet Access Points Initiative aims to put at least 1,000 extra public internet access points in areas of Scotland where affordable provision is currently poor.

  The Scottish Executive is also running a Digital Communities competition. This initiative will create pilot "digital communities", by connecting homes to the internet in two disadvantaged areas of Scotland. The objective is to assess how individual access to the internet can transform opportunities for people living in these communities, by developing new ways of accessing learning, work, shopping and leisure.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken or plans to take to ensure the authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet as set out in point 33 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive is working within the policy laid out in the UK Government’s Authentication framework document in matters relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet. Authentication and security issues are also highlighted in the draft Information Age Government Framework which will set standards and provide guidance for the public sector.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive who ensures that standards of privacy in relation to data interchange on online public services are maintained as set out in point 34 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: In using the internet for their business dealings, data controllers must take into account the privacy rights of individuals and their own responsibilities under privacy and data protection legislation.

  Under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Information Commissioner is able to serve enforcement notices upon a data controller who the Commissioner is satisfied has contravened or is contravening any of the data protection principles.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive where information is made publicly available about the issues relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet as set out in point 35 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Information on issues relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the Internet can be found on the Office of the e-Envoy website.

  Information on these issues is also contained in the published draft Information Age Government Framework.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken since January 2000, and what action it plans to take, to ensure that it and the wider public use online consultation more as set out in point 36 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive is committed to the greater use of on-line consultation. In addition to monitoring the level of Scottish Executive e-consultation activity, it is piloting a number of projects using new technology to increase on-line consultation.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the use of electronic voting amongst the electorate as set out in point 37 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill allows for alternative methods of voting to be considered with a view to subsequent implementation. The electoral commission have been consulted about pilot proposals. With the International Teledemocracy Centre, based at Napier University, we are now considering specific proposals to run e-voting pilots in two local authorities.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what work it has undertaken to ensure the efficiency of information and communications technologies as set out in point 38 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it has given in advising public sector bodies on how to streamline internal processes by utilising information and communications technologies as set out in points 38 and 39 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive’s 21 st Century Government Vision clearly lays out the desirability of exploiting new technology where it delivers improved services. The Executive has sought to encourage debate on new delivery channels and the streamlining of internal processes. The Executive hosted a seminar in October 2001 on call centre technology specifically to share best practice about this citizen focussed service delivery channel. Promoting the e-Government Interoperability Framework is also important in seeking to maximise efficiencies across public bodies.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any public sector sharing of bank offices processing functions as set out in point 40 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Several projects funded through the first round of the Modernising Government Fund supported the re-engineering of back office systems and details of progress made on individual projects are available on the 21 st Century Government website. Discussions involving some public sector service providers and private sector partners are also under way to develop innovative proof of concept projects.

  Bidding Guidance for the second round of the MGF confirmed that Data Sharing, including the integration of front office/back office systems that can facilitate joined up working across organisations, across communities and across the public sector is a key priority to be supported by the fund.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how the further and higher education sectors and local authorities work together to provide network services as set out in point 41 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive’s response to point 41 of the task force report has been overtaken by the publication of the Scottish Executive’s strategy Connecting Scotland: our broadband future . The aggregated procurement of services for local authorities including schools and the health service is to be tested initially in two pathfinder areas. The further and higher education sectors are currently involved in a separate procurement but have been involved in discussions about future alignment of procurement and drawing on the skills of the further and higher education sector in aggregated procurement.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken to ensure the provision of affordable internet access in church halls as set out in point 42 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Public Internet Access Points Initiative will see internet-ready PCs being put in places which people already use - for example shops and banks. This £5 million programme aims to create at least 1,000 extra public internet access points in Scotland, more than doubling the current number.

  The programme will be run on an application basis and church halls will be eligible to apply, as will the other facilities noted in point 42 of the report.

  Venues will be expected to provide the public with access to the Internet at a cost of no more than £1 per hour.

  We expect to start shipping the first PCs in the spring of this year.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what area-based facilities it provides for information and communications technologies initiatives in social inclusion programmes as set out in point 43 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s £1.5 million Digital Champion programme is providing a network of eight digital "champions" to cover Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas in Scotland. They are working to improve ICT provision in these areas by engaging local people and driving forward local activity. The Digital Champions are building on the Audit of ICT initiatives in SIP areas which was commissioned by the Executive (published June 2000, see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/red/audit01.htm) by mapping ICT initiatives and facilities in detail in SIP areas, and subsequently developing further initiatives where appropriate.

  The earlier audit identified a total of 90 ICT initiatives within the SIPs and Working for Communities Pathfinders (WfCPs), and a further 60 related initiatives, not directly run or financed by the SIPs or WfCPs, but falling within their areas.

  In addition the Executive has mapped facilities in Scotland which provide public access to the web – and around 700 have been identified so far. Members of the public can find the nearest place to get on the web via the UK online call centre and a clickable map on the web (see www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland/webaccess).

  The Executive is also developing proposals to improve the provision of web-based information and exchange of good practice on digital inclusion for practitioners in this field.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it currently spends on community based provision of information and communications technologies.

Iain Gray: The Executive’s strategy for digital inclusion "Connecting Scotland's People" set out a range of actions to raise awareness; improve access; develop skills; and involve communities. These include:

  A £5 million initiative which will create over 1,000 points that provide access to the web in a wide range of different types of venue. The focus will be on areas where access is currently poor.

  A £3.5 million initiative to create pilot "digital communities" in two disadvantaged areas by connecting homes to the Internet.

  The £1.5 million Digital Champion programme which is providing a network of eight digital "champions" to cover Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas in Scotland. They are working to improve ICT provision in these areas by engaging local people and driving forward local activity.

  A £1.6 million initiative to develop community ICT facilities in Gorbals and Pollok. They will be aimed at encouraging people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to take their first steps in experiencing how ICTs and the Internet can have a positive impact on the quality of their lives.

  A number of other initiatives are also promoting ICT in communities. These include:

  The New Opportunities Fund has allocated £23 million through its "Community Access to Lifelong Learning" programme. The money is being used to link every public library to the Internet and to improve access to lifelong learning through the use of information and communications technology across Scotland, with the focus on socially excluded adults and communities.

  £8 million has been made available to the Scottish University for Industry to develop a network of learndirect scotland branded learning centres to enable easier access to ICT learning within communities – 223 learndirect scotland centres have been created so far and the target is to create 300 centres by March 2002.

  £1.5 million has been made available over three years for IT development in the voluntary sector.

  Scottish Executive, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, has contributed £150,000 to launch the Uplift project. Uplift is providing initial computer training for 60 to 70 people around the country who will in turn be able to pass on their skills to other members of their communities.

  The National Grid for Learning (NGfL) website has a communities channel which has developed a "Guide to Getting Communities Connected". This provides information to help those who wish to promote the use of ICTs in the community. In addition the Executive is providing £530,000 to the "Connecting Communities" project - an ICT training project for community learning practitioners.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to ensure that users of information and communications technologies can access them in places in which people feel comfortable and at ease with the technology as set out in point 45 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, which was published in September of last year, set out ways in which we will tackle this issue.

  The Public Internet Access Points Initiative, which is currently under development, will see internet-ready PCs being put in places where people actually go - for example shops and banks. This £5 million programme aims to create at least 1,000 extra public internet access points in Scotland, more than doubling the current number. We expect to start shipping the first PCs in the spring of this year.

  The £3.5 million Digital Communities competition will tackle digital inclusion by creating pilot "digital communities" to provide home-base internet access in two disadvantaged communities in Scotland. The objective is to assess how individual access to the internet can transform opportunities for people living in these communities, by developing new ways of accessing learning, work, shopping and leisure.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Information Age Government Framework proposes to promote information and communications technologies usage amongst disabled people, elderly people and ethnic minority communities as set out in point 46 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s digital inclusion strategy sets out evidence that the digital divide in Scotland is closely correlated to low income levels. Initiatives under the digital inclusion strategy will therefore be targeted primarily on low income individuals and communities – and clearly this will include many disabled and elderly people. We also aim to put some of the new public internet access points into facilities used by elderly people. In addition, later this year we will take forward a study into how ICT and web access can be improved for disabled people.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for public service providers to make digital television (DTV) and web-enabled phones available as set out in point 47 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: We have no plans for public service providers to make digital television and web-enabled phones available, but we are actively promoting the development of multiple channels of access to public services through support from the Modernising Government Fund and the development of other projects.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure the multi-channel delivery of public services as set out in point 48 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: Through the Modernising Government Fund, the Scottish Executive has supported a number of pilot projects which are exploring the different methods of delivery available to provide information and services to Scottish citizens. Projects have involved research into service delivery through iDTV, information kiosks, call centres, one stop shops, e-mail and web sites to give but a few examples. The Scottish Executive is actively involved in encouraging a multi channel access approach, particularly through highlighting examples of best practice to be found across the Scottish public sector and through the promotion of its vision statement. The vision has at its heart, citizen choice, whereby the citizen is empowered to access information and services in his or her preferred manner.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local champions it currently supports as set out in point 49 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s £1.5 million Digital Champions programme is providing a network of eight digital "champions" to cover all Social Inclusion Partnership areas in Scotland. Their role is to support and develop local digital inclusion initiatives.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages public agencies to develop user-focused information and communications technologies services as set out in point 50 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive encourages public agencies through the regular and consistent promotion of the 21 st Century Government Vision, of a Scotland where the delivery of public services and public information are characterised by their citizen focus and by choice of means of access. Further to this a series of working groups and seminars on topics such as Portals, GIS and Call Centres have been held with plans for future events. The 21 st Century Government Unit has recently announced a conference 'Transforming Scotland' to be held on 25 January at the Glasgow SECC, which will further promote the citizen focussed approach.

  The Executive is shortly to commission research into how customer views and reactions are currently used both to improve future service delivery and to resolve any immediate service failure. This research scheduled for publication in May 2002 will be published and results promoted across the wider Public Sector.

  Funding of projects through the Modernising Government Fund and the subsequent sharing of best practice in this area will also have a positive effect.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how information and communications technologies are being employed to promote local democratic participation, including consultations and opinion polling, as set out in point 51 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force , Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-21263 and S1W-21264 answered on 16 January 2002.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to promote the benefits of information and communications technologies among those who do not understand technology as set out in point 52 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s response to point 52 said we would encourage Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIP) to make this an integral part of their work. The digital champions are working in SIP areas - engaging local people, local organisations, and driving forward local activity.

  In addition the Executive’s public access points initiative will put internet access into places where people already go on a day-to-day basis – such as shops.

  The points set out in my answer to question S1W-21282 on 16 January 2002 are also relevant here.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what promotional work it has carried out to publicise the benefits which individuals can derive from information and communications technologies as set out in point 53 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: Through the Executive’s Digital Inclusion Strategy "Connecting Scotland’s People" we are developing a number of promotional schemes to increase skills and raise awareness of the benefits of using PCs and the internet. This includes the UK Online TV advertising campaign aimed at getting everyone online which started in November 2001, which the Executive worked on with UK government. A number of other schemes to promote awareness of the benefits of the web are also being developed and we expect these to start later in the year.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it promotes social inclusion through information and communications technologies as set out in point 54 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The guidelines for UK Government websites published by the Office of the e-Envoy contain detailed information and set standards for the design and delivery of fully accessible websites and online services. Version 2 of the guidelines is currently going through consultation and the Executive is taking part in that process.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what methods it uses to assess demand for information and communications technologies as set out in point 55 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s digital champions initiative is working in Social Inclusion Partnership areas to assess current levels of ICT provision and demand for expert advice, and is already providing advice to practitioners on issues such as good practice and fund raising. The Executive is currently developing proposals on how to improve the exchange of information and good practice on digital inclusion issues.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive who the partners are who co-ordinate digital inclusion projects as set out in point 56 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: The Executive’s response to point 56 was that it would set up a dedicated digital inclusion unit to co-ordinate work on digital inclusion. Last year this was done, the Executive created a dedicated digital inclusion unit to take forward its objectives for digital inclusion. As a first step, in discussion with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, the digital inclusion team developed the Executive’s Digital Inclusion Strategy Connecting Scotland’s People which was published in September 2001 (see www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland), which sets out the Executive’s framework for developing digital inclusion. The team is now taking forward a range of initiatives to increase awareness of the benefits of the web; increase access to the web; improve skills; and involve communities.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how long it takes to train a local champion in relation to utilising information and communications technologies and how much this training costs.

Iain Gray: The length of time taken to train a local champion in the effective use of ICTs depends on a number of factors such as the individual’s previous experience. An effective local champion not only has to be confident in the use of ICTs, but also has to be able to realise the potential for ICTs to enhance local activities and learning opportunities.

  The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) is a good indicator of proficiency in the use of ICTs. The study time required will depend on the individual, but typically might be around 40 hours. The fees charged for an ECDL course by a training provider will vary – but might lie between £150 and £250. However, additional training in other skills may also be required.

  A further example of a scheme that trains local champions is the National Grid for Learning’s "Connecting Communities" programme. This course does not aim to deliver core ICT skills but instead aims to equip local champions with the knowledge, skills and understanding to integrate ICT into everyday work.

  Using the freely available NGfL training materials (http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/communities/training) the successful trainees are expected to cascade their new skills to up to 10 other local community representatives.

  Apart from some equipment costs and the cost of producing the training materials and making them available on-line, typical basic training costs for a group of 12 participants are:

  


3 days face-to-face ICT training 
  

£1,500 
  



4 days further support 
  

£2,000 
  



  Some participants will need more support than others to get to the point where these new skills can be effectively and enthusiastically cascaded to other community practitioners but these figures give a reasonable indication of the costs involved.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits have been gained from information and communications technologies related social inclusion projects as set out in point 58 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Iain Gray: Digital inclusion projects have helped increase individual skills; increase individual opportunities; increase social interaction; improve confidence, and improve community working. The Executive is developing proposals to improve sharing of information and good practice between practitioners.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure an efficient and competitive telecommunications infrastructure as set out in point 60 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Telecoms regulation is reserved to the UK Government. However, the Scottish Executive recognises the importance of an efficient and competitive telecoms infrastructure to economic development. Within the context of its economic development remit, Scottish Enterprise is working on the Accessing Telecoms Links Across Scotland (ATLAS) project which aims to increase choice within the wholesale telecoms market in Scotland.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to extend broadband access to rural areas as set out in point 61 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive launched a broadband strategy last August with the aim of promoting affordable pervasive broadband across Scotland. The strategy includes aggregated public sector procurement which will be taken forward initially in two pathfinder rural areas - the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. We aim to invest in broadband capacity for public services in a way that stimulates providers to supply a wider range of services to businesses and consumers in those areas.

  The Executive also recognises the importance of both testing and increasing demand for broadband, in order to encourage wider roll-out of commercial services, including within rural areas. As a first step, we are proposing a programme of network trials and awareness-raising measures under the DTI fund for innovative projects to extend broadband networks.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what system it uses to signpost and accredit its websites as set out in point 62 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Peter Peacock: Point 62 of the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force referred specifically to Scottish education-related websites. However, the Scottish Executive has a Web Editorial Board which is overseeing a programme of work to improve the signposting, accessibility and quality of content on the Scottish Executive Website. One aspect of this work programme is ensuring compliance with published guidelines and technical standards including the Framework for Information Age Government Websites and the e-Government Metadata Framework .

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for metadata standards on publicly funded websites as set out in point 63 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The e-Government Metadata Framework (e-GMF) published in June 2001, sets out the UK Government’s policies for establishing and implementing metadata standards across the public sector.

  The Scottish Executive website is overseen by a Web Editorial Board which has responsibility for ensuring compliance with published guidelines including the e-GMF.

  The Scottish Executive actively supports and promotes the e-government interoperability framework and e-GMF across the wider Scottish public sector.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has implemented all the recommendations that it agreed to in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: A number of the recommendations have been implemented and action completed. Others have been taken forward through the development and implementation of various related initiatives including the Digital Inclusion Strategy, the Broadband Strategy, the Information Age Government Strategy and the 21 st Century Government Action Plan.

Digital Scotland

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the next progress report on the transition to an information society will be published as set out in point 66 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring progress in information and communications technologies provision with the rest of the UK as set out in point 67 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward .

Mr Andy Kerr: The Joint Performance Team is monitoring progress in information and communications technologies.

  The Joint Performance Team was established by the Scottish Executive and comprises representatives of the Scottish Executive and Enterprise Networks. It is developing indicators that will allow the regular benchmarking of Scotland’s progress against international performance in the areas outlined in Smart, Successful Scotland. The monitoring of the Executive’s own electronic service delivery targets also provide useful benchmarking information.

  The indicators suggested in the Joint Performance Team’s measurement framework relevant to monitoring progress in information and communication technologies fall under two categories, more e-business and digital connectivity. Within these categories, the following measures have been adopted.

  Proportion of business and activity transacted through e-business;

  Number of companies trading online;

  Share of businesses using broadband;

  Cost and geographic coverage of broadband;

  Share of population online, and

  Share of population in Social Inclusion Partnerships and other fragile areas with internet access.

  After a public consultation process the Joint Performance Team is due to publish its final indicator set by 28 January.

Housing

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive in which towns with populations over 1,000 further housing development is prohibited because of any inadequacy of the current sewage system.

Ms Margaret Curran: We are aware of concerns that new housing development is unable to take place in some areas because the sewerage system is already operating at or near capacity. Scottish Executive officials will be meeting both local authority and house-building industry representatives shortly to discuss the matter.

  The Scottish water authorities have been asked to provide further detailed information and this will be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre as soon as possible.

Local Government

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local government councillors’ seats are currently vacant and for how long these vacancies have existed, broken down by local authority area.

Mr Peter Peacock: The information requested is not held centrally.

Public Transport

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20444 by Lewis Macdonald on 11 December 2001, when it was informed of the decision to give the Scottish Parliament legislative competence over the approval of the promotion and construction of new railways in Scotland.

Lewis Macdonald: The transfer to the Scottish Parliament of legislative competence for the promotion and construction of new railways in Scotland formed part of a package of measures for railways devolution announced on 31 March 1998 by Henry McLeish, the then Scottish Transport Minister, in the House of Commons.

Public Transport

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20444 by Lewis Macdonald on 11 December 2001, when the Order in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 to provide legislative competence to the Scottish Parliament in respect of the promotion and construction of railways will be laid and brought into force.

Lewis Macdonald: I anticipate that the Order in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998, to provide legislative competence to the Scottish Parliament in respect of the promotion and construction of railways, will be laid and brought into force during the first half of 2002.

Rates

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what rates relief is available for licensed premises that are the sole such premises in a rural village.

Mr Andy Kerr: Local authorities currently have discretionary powers to provide up to 100% rate relief for properties beneficial to the local community, in settlements of less than 3,000 people in areas of Scotland designated as rural areas by the Scottish ministers.

  All properties with a rateable value of less than £10,000 qualify for a two pence reduction in the poundage rate.

Registers of Scotland

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be possible for complaints made against local registrars of births, deaths and marriages to be investigated by the proposed Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman.

Peter Peacock: Yes.

Rural Development

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to maintain and develop the innovative plant breeding research programmes at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive continues to fund the maintenance and genetical characterisation of potato and soft fruit germplasm collections at the Scottish Crop Research Institute, and continues to support the development and application of innovative, molecular plant breeding research at the Institute, including the expansion of genomics research in support of that.

Rural Development

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts it has with the Department for International Development in respect of plant breeding programmes.

Ross Finnie: We have had no contact with the Department for International Development on the matter of plant breeding programmes.

Scottish Executive Contracts

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms exist to review the performance of tenderers for contracts that it awards.

Mr Andy Kerr: Potential tenderers are generally required to submit, with their bid, or application to bid, details of relevant previous experience and references. Before any major contract is awarded, enquiries are made as to the tenderers’ ability to perform the contract, including consideration of relevant past performance. Also, performance by the Executive’s contractors is required to be kept under continuous review by contract managers. In respect of works and works related services contracts, the Executive also makes use of information on past performance available through the "Constructionline" database.

Scottish Executive Contracts

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether potential tenderers can be deemed to be ineligible to tender for contracts and, if so, on what grounds.

Mr Andy Kerr: There are a number of grounds on which potential tenderers can be deemed ineligible to bid. These may include, for example, whether or not the tenderer has been convicted of an offence or committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of its business, whether the tenderer is considered to have sufficient economic and financial standing to fulfil the contract and whether the potential tenderer is considered to have the necessary technical capacity and ability to meet the requirements of the particular contract.

  The extent to which potential tenderers’ eligibility is tested varies according to the value, importance and complexity of the contract in question.

  In certain contract award procedures, full tenders may be invited only from a short list consisting of those potential tenderers considered best placed to meet the Executive’s requirements. Such short lists generally include at least three potential bidders (to ensure genuine competition). Limiting the number of full tenders in this way is normal commercial practice and helps minimise the burden of tendering costs for both suppliers and the purchaser. The fact that a potential tenderer has not been invited to bid may, in these circumstances, simply reflect the fact that it was not considered to be one of the strongest applicants.

Scottish Executive Contracts

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any EU regulations governing the eligibility of potential tenderers to bid for government contracts.

Mr Andy Kerr: European law places certain obligations on public purchasers when considering potential tenderers’ eligibility to bid or when selecting a short list of bidders. The Treaty of Amsterdam requires that purchasers do not discriminate on grounds of nationality and, in effect, that potential bidders are treated equally. European public procurement directives (Services Directive 92/50/EEC, Supplies Directive, 93/36/EEC and Works Directive, 93/37/EEC as amended) where they apply, place detailed obligations on public purchasers in respect of the exclusion or selection of bidders. The directives place certain limitations on the information which may be sought from potential tenderers and which may be used to exclude (or select) bidders. The directives also require that decisions on eligibility are based on objective criteria.

Scottish Executive Contracts

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has excluded any bidders from any tendering processes and, if so, who and on what grounds.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive routinely excludes bidders or potential bidders, either because they are not considered capable of fulfilling the requirements of the contract or because, following a selection process, they have not been short-listed to tender. Records of bidders excluded in this way, and the grounds on which the decision was taken, are not held centrally and the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Also, details of particular decisions to exclude bidders will, in general, be commercially sensitive, since publication could be expected to have an adverse impact on the bidder’s commercial standing.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Parliamentary Publications

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer when Scots language translations of the Parliament’s information leaflets will be available.

Sir David Steel: The Parliament's Factfiles are available in Gaelic, and a Welcome Guide is available in French, German, Italian and Spanish. We are currently developing our policy on translations of public information material into other languages, and a decision will be taken by the SPCB in due course.